Learn how to hard boil fresh eggs that turn out perfectly every time, in just a few simple steps! Say goodbye to green yolks forever.
Original post: September 2010 | Updated: July 2024
Why This Recipe Works
Hard boiling eggs was one of the first cooking tricks I taught myself. Here are a handful of reasons why I love perfect hard-boiled eggs so much!
- These are the best hard boiled eggs, perfect in so many different recipes or just to eat as a delicious, healthy snack!
- We’ve all eaten eggs that have been boiled for too long, leaving a green ring lining and hardened yolk. I only had to experience this once before setting out on a quest to make the most perfect hard-boiled egg possible.
- This is a foolproof method for consistently creating easy-peel eggs.
- Follow the step by step instructions below to make the perfect hard boiled egg every time!
- The instructions below work for farm-fresh eggs, as well as store-bought eggs.
How To Hard Boil Fresh Eggs
Step 1 – Place the Eggs in Water
Place large eggs in a single layer on the bottom of a saucepan filled with cool water. There should be at least 1 inch of water above the tops of the eggs.
Step 2 – Bring to a Boil
Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
Step 3 – Remove from the Heat and Cover
The water should come to a full boil, then immediately turn it off. Move the pan from heat source and place a cover on top. Set a timer for 15 minutes for the cooking process to finish.
Even though the eggs aren’t over a direct heat source at this point, they are still cooking in the covered pot of hot water.
Step 4 – Place Eggs in an Ice Bath
Prepare an ice bath by taking a bowl and filling it with ice cubes and a little water. When the timer goes off, use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs out of the hot water into the bowl of ice water immediately for rapid cooling.
Allow the eggs to sit in the ice water bath for a minute or two.
Alternatively, you may run the eggs under cold running water if you don’t want to make an ice bath. The eggs need to stop cooking and the way to do that is to expose them to sudden cold, whichever route you go.
Step 5 – Peel or Refrigerate
At this point the eggs are perfectly hard-boiled underneath their shells. Either peel the eggs immediately or refrigerate without peeling.
Simple Tips for the Perfect Egg
- Peeled eggs will stay fresh in the fridge for 5 days.
- Unpeeled hard-boiled eggs will stay fresh in the fridge for 7 days.
- Super-fresh eggs will always taste better than older eggs, no matter how they are cooked. Farm fresh eggs will always be more fresh than store bought eggs.
- If you have a pressure cooker, try making your next batch of hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot. No more difficult-to-peel hard-boiled eggs with this recipe!
- Use eggs straight from the fridge! No need to bring them to room temperature before boiling them.
- For easy peel hard boiled eggs, remove the peels immediately after they’ve been cooked.
What To Do With Leftover Hard Boiled Eggs (Whole Eggs or Egg Yolks)
- Slice or chop hard boiled eggs and throw them into your next chopped salad!
- Make a batch of deviled eggs for your next gathering.
- Add them to potato salad.
- Turn them into colored Easter eggs!
- Eat as a healthy snack, with a sprinkling of salt and pepper over the top of the egg.
- Hand them to family members who need a delicious on-the-go breakfast on their way out the door.
- Egg salad sandwiches are the perfect way to use up hard-boiled eggs. Spread on a piece of toasted bread, load up a brioche bun with your mayonnaise and egg mixture or put it on an English muffin.
Is It Safe To Eat Overcooked Hard Boiled Eggs
Overcooked hard boiled eggs are safe to eat, as long as they are consumed within a week of cooking. Although safe, they may have a rubbery texture that leaves much to be desired.
How To Reheat Hard Boiled Eggs
Reheat hard-boiled eggs that have peels intact by adding them to a medium heat-proof bowl. Bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil on the stove. Add the boiling water to the boil, ensuring there is enough water so the eggs are submerged.
Place a cover over top of the bowl and set a timer for 5 minutes. Peel fresh eggs and enjoy them warm!
Reheat hard-boiled eggs that have already been peeled by placing them on a microwave-safe dish. Loosely cover and microwave on high in 30-second intervals or until heated through.
How To Freeze Hard Boiled Eggs
The white portion of hard-boiled eggs do not freeze well. Once thawed, the whites have a watery texture that wasn’t there before freezing.
Yolks do freeze well! Transfer hard-boiled yolks to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months for best results.
Hard Boiled Eggs vs Scrambled
- Hard-cooked eggs have more protein and nutrients, as well as fewer calories than scrambled eggs. The texture of this type of eggs is firm and smooth.
- Because they are typically cooked in healthy oils, scrambled eggs contain more healthy fats. Scrambled eggs have a soft, fluffy texture, with a bit more flavor.
What Are Soft Boiled Eggs
Soft-boiled eggs are boiled until the egg whites are just set, leaving the yolks soft and slightly runny. They are typically eaten solo for breakfast or a snack, or in recipes such as salad, soup or ramen.
Make Hard Boiled Eggs in an Instant Pot
Make perfect hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot for a seamless experience. Cooking eggs in a pressure cooker makes removing egg shells a breeze!
Egg Recipes for Breakfast
The recipes below are my favorite ways to enjoy eggs to start any day!
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How To Hard Boil Fresh Eggs For Easy Peeling and NO Green Yolks!
Ingredients
- 6 eggs or as many as you need to hard boil, as long as they stay in a single layer in the bottom of the pan
Instructions
- Place desired amount of eggs in a saucepan (use as many as you want as long as they remain in a single layer) filled with water. The water should reach approximately 1 inch above the tops of the eggs.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Immediately remove the pan from heat source and place a cover on the pan. Set a timer for 15 minutes.
- A couple minutes before your timer beeps, prepare an ice bath. Transfer the eggs to the ice bath.
- Let the eggs sit in the ice bath for a minute or two. You can skip this step if desired and instead run the eggs under cold water. It is important that the eggs stop cooking and the way to do that is to expose them to sudden cold, whichever route you go.
- At this point your eggs are perfectly hard-boiled underneath their shells. Either peel immediately or refrigerate without peeling.
Video
Notes
- Hard-boiled eggs that have been peeled, will stay fresh in the fridge for 5 days.
- Unpeeled, hard-boiled eggs will stay fresh in the fridge for 7 days.
- Please don’t try freezing eggs once they’ve been boiled because they will become tough and rubbery. The yolks can be harvested and frozen for later use.
- If you have a pressure cooker, try making your next batch of hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot!
- Use eggs straight from the fridge! No need to bring to room temperature first.
- It is easier to peel hard-boiled eggs immediately after they’ve been cooked.
- Use older eggs that have been sitting in the fridge longer to make your hard boiled eggs because they tend to be easier to peel once they’ve been in the hot water.
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